Ultra Play Systems
Ultra Play Systems is a U.S.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer (sub-brand of PlayCore) that designs, assembles, and ships modular, self-installable play structures, swings, climbers, and site amenities to schools, HOAs, campgrounds, early childhood centers, faith-based organizations, and community centers across 48 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersRed Bud, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ultra Play Systems does
Ultra Play Systems (legal entity: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.; operating as UltraPlay and UPlay Today) is a U.S.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer founded circa 1985 and headquartered operationally in Red Bud, Illinois, with a corporate presence in Chattanooga, Tennessee tied to its parent company PlayCore. The company designs and assembles commercial-grade play structures, freestanding equipment, swings, site amenities, climbing boulders, and loose-parts play systems, organized into six sub-brands segmented by age range from infancy through age 12. Its core technology centers on modular hardware designed for one-day self-installation by volunteers, including a proprietary 18-inch ground spike mounting system that eliminates concrete in most installations; the lineup carries ASTM, CPSC, CPSIA, and IPEMA safety certifications.
UltraPlay serves a diversified customer base across at least seven verticals — K-12 schools, early childhood centers, apartments and HOAs, campgrounds, community centers, faith-based organizations, and festivals and events — as well as national retailers and a recruited dealer network. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time equipment sales (quote-based pricing via a direct sales team and the website, a national account relationship with Home Depot, and an expanding dealer program), with secondary streams from safety surfacing, site amenities, optional professional installation services, and premium delivery upgrades (Saturday, two-person, and flatbed with forklift assist). The company does not disclose revenue, has no public funding history, and is privately held as a subsidiary within PlayCore's portfolio of play and recreation brands, which also provides scholarly and research support through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE).
Ultra Play Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ultra Play Systems
- Legal name
- PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
- Website
- https://ultraplay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Ultra Play Systems is a U.S.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer (sub-brand of PlayCore) that designs, assembles, and ships modular, self-installable play structures, swings, climbers, and site amenities to schools, HOAs, campgrounds, early childhood centers, faith-based organizations, and community centers across 48 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ultra Play Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Playground Equipment
- NAICS
- Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early Childhood & Playground Equipment (Play Structures, Soft Play, Safety Surfacing) (EDAEAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG), Outdoor & Ride-On Toys Retail (CRALAFAC), Outdoor Play & Sports Toys Distribution (CRAOAMAG)
Keywords
Where Ultra Play Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Red Bud
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ultra Play Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Playground Equipment Sales: Sale of commercial playground structures, swings, freestanding equipment, and play systems. Products are one-time purchases with USA-assembled systems. Revenue generated through direct sales and national retail accounts.
- Safety Surfacing: Sale of safety surfacing materials including Engineered Wood Fiber, Rubber Tiles, and Poured-in-Place rubber. Can equal or exceed equipment costs depending on selection.
- Site Amenities: Sale of complementary playground items including benches, tables, trash receptacles, and shade structures.
- Enhanced Delivery Services: Optional paid delivery upgrades including Saturday delivery, Two-Person Delivery, and Flatbed Delivery with Fork Lift assist.
- Professional Installation Services: Optional certified professional installation services for customers preferring expert handling of equipment assembly and safety surfacing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment pricing varies by structure size, age range, and configuration |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Safety surfacing options range from economical to premium |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Installation options from self-DIY to full professional service |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Ultra Play Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ultra Play Systems designs, assembles, and sells commercial-grade playground equipment and outdoor recreation products for organizations across the United States. Its offerings include multi-age play structures, freestanding play elements, swings, climbing boulders, loose-parts play systems, outdoor musical instruments, safety surfacing, and site amenities. Products are USA-assembled, designed for fast shipping and self-installation, and target schools, HOAs, churches, early childhood centers, campgrounds, and community centers.
Product overview
UltraPlay is a commercial playground equipment company offering a portfolio of play solutions designed for various age groups and settings. The product lineup includes UPlay Today™ (ages 5-12 play structures), Discovery Centers (ages 2-5), SnugPlay USA (ages 6-23 months), NatureROCKS climbing boulders, Freenotes Harmony Park musical instruments, and Early Play sensory elements for infants. These products are complemented by freestanding equipment, swings, and site amenities (benches, tables, trash receptacles). All equipment is USA-assembled, designed for quick shipping (typically within 5 days), self-installation, and meets ASTM, CPSC, and IPEMA safety standards. The company operates as a subsidiary of PlayCore and distributes through national retailers including Home Depot.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- UPlay Today™: Commercial play structures for ages 5-12 featuring powder-coated steel posts, coated steel decks, and durable plastic components. Designed for quick shipping and self-installation while meeting all commercial safety standards.
- Discovery Centers
- SnugPlay USA
- NatureROCKS
- Freenotes Harmony Park
- Early Play
Products and services
- UPlay Today™
Quantifiable outcome
- 5-day shipping for many products (vs industry standard)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ultra Play Systems
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Ultra Play Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Ultra Play Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- PlayCoreflagshipUltraPlay is a PlayCore company. PlayCore is a purpose-driven company committed to building healthy communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. PlayCore infuses scholarly learning through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE) into its comprehensive family of brands, combining best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Ultra Play Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Playworld Systems: Manufacturer of commercial playground and fitness equipment serving the same K-12, parks, and community center buyers as UltraPlay, with comparable age-banded product lines.
- Landscape Structures: Premium commercial playground equipment manufacturer serving the same institutional and municipal markets as UltraPlay, with a broader product portfolio and an inclusive-play design focus.
- Playcraft Systems: Commercial-grade playground equipment manufacturer targeting schools, parks, and HOAs with a similar product structure (play systems, freestanding, swings, site amenities) to UltraPlay.
- BCI Burke: Family-owned commercial playground equipment manufacturer offering play systems, freestanding, and site amenities to schools, parks, and HOAs - directly comparable in product breadth and customer mix.
- Miracle Recreation (PlayPower): PlayPower sister brand manufacturing commercial playground equipment and site amenities, overlapping with UltraPlay across most product categories and customer segments.
- GameTime: Sister brand under PlayCore, GameTime is a direct peer manufacturing commercial playground systems, shelters, and fitness equipment for schools, parks, and communities - the most direct comparable in UltraPlay's own portfolio.
- Kidstuff Playsystems: Mid-market commercial playground equipment manufacturer and installer serving schools, parks, and HOAs with a similar value-oriented positioning to UltraPlay.
- Columbia Cascade: Manufacturer of TimberForm commercial playground and site amenity products (timber and metal), serving parks, schools, and recreation markets overlapping with UltraPlay's commercial customers.
- Little Tikes Commercial (PlayPower): PlayPower-owned commercial playground brand serving schools, daycares, and recreation centers; competes with UltraPlay across age-segmented play structures and freestanding equipment.
Broad incumbents
- Kompan: Global incumbent in commercial playgrounds, fitness, and outdoor sports equipment with a much larger international footprint; competes in the same institutional buyer set but at a broader scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ultra Play Systems social profiles
Digital presenceUltra Play Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Ultra Play Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ultra Play Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ultra Play Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ultra Play Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ultra Play Systems
What does Ultra Play Systems do?
Ultra Play Systems designs, assembles, and sells commercial-grade playground equipment and outdoor recreation products for organizations across the United States. Its offerings include multi-age play structures, freestanding play elements, swings, climbing boulders, loose-parts play systems, outdoor musical instruments, safety surfacing, and site amenities. Products are USA-assembled, designed for fast shipping and self-installation, and target schools, HOAs, churches, early childhood centers, campgrounds, and community centers.
Is Ultra Play Systems a public or private company?
Ultra Play Systems is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Ultra Play Systems founded?
Ultra Play Systems was founded in 1985. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Ultra Play Systems based?
Ultra Play Systems is headquartered in Red Bud, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ultra Play Systems make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Playground Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are safety Surfacing, site Amenities, enhanced Delivery Services and professional Installation Services.
Who are Ultra Play Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Playworld Systems, Landscape Structures, Playcraft Systems, BCI Burke, Miracle Recreation (PlayPower), GameTime, Kidstuff Playsystems, Columbia Cascade and Little Tikes Commercial (PlayPower). Kompan is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Ultra Play Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ultra Play Systems.
What industry is Ultra Play Systems in?
Ultra Play Systems's product category is Commercial Playground Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAF, Early Childhood & Playground Equipment (Play Structures, Soft Play, Safety Surfacing), with a secondary code of EDAEAIAG, Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards). Its NAICS code is 33992 and its SIC code is 3944.